Central Middle School loses its leaders

Neither principal Frank Ellis nor assistant principal Debbie Followell will be back next year.

In a 5 to 2 vote Monday night, the Cape Girardeau School Board opted against re-hiring Central Middle School principal Frank Ellis and assistant principal Debbie Followell.

According to district superintendent Dr. Dave Scala, both are tenured employees and therefore will have the option of another position within the district.

Neither principal Frank Ellis, pictured above in this Southeast Missourian file photo, nor assistant principal Debbie Followell will return to Central Middle School next year.

Board members Charles Bertrand and Tom Reinagel voted against the move.

"They are both good people...we just feel like it is time we have a new direction," said Scala.

For more details about the move and what it will mean to Central Middle School, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Thursday's Southeast Missourian.